Not sure why Watson would be anything other than 3 given what's just happened, Warner will probably be more comfortable opening in Australia too. For me, Clarke and Smith stay up and 4 and 5, while umber six goes to whoever is piling it on in the SS, that could be Hughes, but whoever it is bats 6, we can't throw another young batsman straight into the top order again IMO.

Originally Posted by Dawood Ahmad

Hamish, no body knows even name of him
But Ponting, there's great fame of him

Not sure why Watson would be anything other than 3 given what's just happened, Warner will probably be more comfortable opening in Australia too. For me, Clarke and Smith stay up and 4 and 5, while umber six goes to whoever is piling it on in the SS, that could be Hughes, but whoever it is bats 6, we can't throw another young batsman straight into the top order again IMO.

I just think Watson is better suited as an opener. Whether he scores more runs now shouldn't be dependent on whether he is opening or at 3 - he more often than not sees of the new ball anyway, but his problem has obv been making big scores. So hopefully he has turned a corner in that regard. I think Warner at 3 is a better fit at this stage. I like having a right/left combo opening, plus I feel we could get more out of him coming in against a slightly older ball, where he would be less likely to nick off playing his shots. I don't see why someone like Hughes couldn't be a 4 - it's really the ideal spot for him. Protected as much as he can against the new ball, whilst not having to face spin that early either (not that it's going to be much of an issue in Aus though).

If Maddinson continues to pile up runs early in the season, then he should be in the team as he is our best young batsman and hasn't been scarred by losses against England

Nic Maddinson hasn't done his chances any harm with his recent performances in South Africa. He would appear to be next cab off the rank of the young batsmen, and I'd like to see Maddinson come into the line-up as high in the batting order as possible. But for now Warner, Rogers and Watson are locks, and Clarke now seems happy at 4 after preferring lower slots for a while.

We are very light on for young batsmen kicking the door down for what appears to be the vacant position in our batting order. The players listed below scored more than 300 runs in the Shield competition last season, and are listed in order of batting average:

Moises Henriques - 385 runs at 77.0 - 26 year old allrounder - Has played 6 Tests and his bowling in particular has fallen short of the mark.
Ricky Ponting - 911 runs at 75.91 - Well and truly retired. No more 'bring back Ricky' please!
Jordan Silk - 347 runs at 57.83 - 21 year old in his first season.
Phil Hughes - 673 runs at 56.08 - On tour and perhaps now out of Boof's plans?
Brad Haddin - 462 runs at 52.00 - Recalled to the team, but nearly 36 years old.
Chris Rogers - 742 runs at 49.46 - In the team and top of his form but he's nearly 36 years old.
Alex Doolan - 715 runs at 42.05 - 27 years old and approaching his 6th season. Has only 5 first class 100's and average of 37.85.
Callum Ferguson - 639 runs at 39.93 - Nearly 29 years old and approaching his 10th season. Has only 8 first class 100's and average of 36.05.
Usman Khawaja - 438 runs at 39.81 - Performed poorly on tour and out of Boof's plans by the look of things.
Mark Cosgrove - 784 runs at 39.20 - 29 years old and an overweight enigma. Could Boof create a Test player out of him?

Further down the averages are players such as:
Ben Cutting - 26 year old allrounder who doesn't average much with the bat.
Mike Hussey - retired.
Cameron White - forget it.
Michael Hogan - 32 years old.
Nic Mattinson - 21 year old coming into his 4th season - see further comments below.
Trent Copeland - 27 year old bowling allrounder with first class batting average of 22. Has played 3 Tests.
James Faulkner - 23 year old allrounder who make a fairly impressive test debut but may get squeezed out in the home series.
Joe Burns - 587 runs at 32.62 - Nearly 24 year old averages just under 40 in first class matches with 5 first class100's.

In summary, if a guy like Nic Mattinson were to start the season with a couple of 100's, particularly after his successful tour of South Africa where he scored 3 half centuries and a 41 in his 5 innings, he'd be knocking on the door for a Test debut. Glen Maxwell is also one of the few putting up his hand after the South African tour having scored 2 big 100's and a 93.

In short the welcome mat for a Test debut is out for any batsmen showing early season form.